Nancy Joyce Gearhart
Nancy Joyce Gearhart, 79, of Elco, and formerly of Alto Pass, went to be with her heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
She was born on July 3, 1944, in Cobden, the daughter of Charles Robert and Gladys Mae Hickam Cavaness.
She married Robert Wayne Gearhart on July 10, 1962, in Alto Pass. He preceded her in death on Oct. 10, 2019.
She was a compassionate and caring person. She always made sure everyone felt welcome. She never knew a stranger and could talk with anyone.
She enjoyed sewing, quilting, horseback riding and playing Trivial Pursuit.
She enjoyed taking her grandchildren to the fair (yes, all of them) and was always cracking a joke.
As a skilled nurse, she spent her working life as an RN in long-term care. Taking care of the geriatric population was her calling. She understood the importance of family and caring for our elders.
She is survived by her mother, Gladys (Cavaness) Smithey of Du Quoin; daughters Vivian (John) Marks of Alto Pass, Ronnie Whiteside of Jonesboro, Tricia Gearhart of Alto Pass and Nancy (Gary) Dillow of Mazon; sons Robert Jr. (Angela) Gearhart of Cobden and Roy Gearhart of Alto Pass; 19 grandchildren: Susan Ashley, JJ, Justin, Sierra, Caitie, Caycee, Holly, Bo, Annie, Cody, Sean, Charlie, Elizabeth, Riley, Kelsey, Brandi, Autumn, Samantha Paige and Sarah; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sisters Charlotte Browder, Janet Braun and Donna (Terry) Jenkins; brother Robert (Carol) Cavaness; sisters-in-law Jeanne Meade of Gorham and Nancy (Curt) Conder of Murphysboro; brothers-in-law Claude Stearns of Murphysboro, Mike McGrath of Kissimmee, Fla., Lester Beisner of Anna and Mark (Beth) Gearhart of Ava; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father; her husband; a son, Charles Leslie; sisters-in-law Judy Meade, Jane (Forrest Ray) Meadows, Joyce Stearns, Sharon Gearhart and Millie McGrath; brothers-in-law Lindell (Evelyn) Wright, Austin (Mary) Wright, Donnie (Betty) Wright, Jack (Carolyn) Gearhart and Marvin Meade; a son-in-law, Randy Davis; and a grandson-in-law, Jeremy Hodges.
Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, May 20, at Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with the Rev. Dr. Ed Falgout officiating. Interment followed in the Alto Pass Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the family of Nancy Gearhart.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Alto Pass was in charge of arrangements.